Crews rescue special needs child who climbed backstop
HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) A special needs child was rescued by police after she climbed a softball backstop and got stuck.
Hollister police said the girl climbed the backstop early in the school day at Rancho San Justo School before she could be stopped by staff. The backstop she climbed is made of chain link fence material, and she climbed to a point where she could not come down safely on her own.
When staff were unable to convince her to come down, they called police. Officers responded to the school along with fire crews.
Police said that while they waited for help, one of the officers climbed the backstop to stay with the girl and keep her calm.
Soon those responding realized there was a construction crew at the school that had a large scissor lift, so the crew brought it to the top of the backstop. The officer and the student were brought to safety using the lift.
"The school district is thankful to Officer Pompa and Officer Martinez for their excellent work. This situation was handled with the highest level of care and concern for our student," said Diego Ochoa, the Hollister School District Superintendent.
